Name: Hank Hester
EOW: Monday, September 8, 2025
Rank: Firefighter/Equipment Operator
Age: 70
Department: Southwest Area Incident Management Team 3
State: Arizona
Activity Type: Advance Hose Lines/Fire Attack (includes Wildland)
Incident Details:
On the afternoon of September 8, 2025, Firefighter/Equipment Operator J. Hank Hester collapsed while performing suppression repair at the Dragon Bravo Fire near the Grand Canyon North Rim in Arizona.
Line paramedics performed CPR at the scene, but Firefighter/Equipment Operator Hester could not be resuscitated. The suspected cause of death is a cardiovascular emergency.
Cause of Death: Stress/Overexertion
Nature of Death: Cardiovascular Event/Heart Attack
Duty Type: On-Scene Fire
Incident Date: September 8, 2025 1:30 PM
Fixed Property Use: Outdoor Property